Support jig for a surgical instrument

Claim 2

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base; and means for releasably fixing the convex and concave surfaces in a plurality of different positions relative to each other, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface.

Claim 3

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the instrument support member has sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported and the instrument support member has first and second separable parts which when separated facilitate placement of a surgical instrument in the sleeve passageway, said first and second separable parts cooperatively defining at least a part of said convex surface.

Claim 4

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the instrument support member has sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported and the instrument support member has first and second separable parts which when separated facilitate placement of a surgical instrument in the sleeve passageway, said first and second separable parts cooperatively defining at least a part of said convex surface.

Claim 5

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the cooperating means includes means for releasably locking the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, said cooperating means comprising a set screw to engage the convex surface.

Claim 6

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the cooperating means includes means for releasably locking the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, said cooperating means comprising a set screw to engage the convex surface.

Claim 7

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base; and means for releasably fixing the convex and concave surfaces in a plurality of different positions relative to each other, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the instrument support member has a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the sleeve has an axial extent and there are means on the instrument support member for releasably fixing the position of the sleeve relative to the base.

Claim 8

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base; and means for releasably fixing the convex and concave surfaces in a plurality of different positions relative to each other, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the instrument support member has a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the sleeve has an axial extent and there are means on the instrument support member for releasably fixing the position of the sleeve relative to the base.

Claim 9

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the base flat surface has an annular configuration and the base includes a conical skirt converging away from the flat base surface, there being means cooperating between the conical skirt and said socket for maintaining the socket spaced from the plane of the flat surface of the base.

Claim 10

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the instrument support member has a spherical configuration defining the convex surface and the base has a socket for reception of the instrument support member and defines the concave surface, wherein the base flat surface has an annular configuration and the base includes a conical skirt converging away from the flat base surface, there being means cooperating between the conical skirt and said socket for maintaining the socket spaced from the plane of the flat surface of the base.

Claim 11

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface, said flat surface having an effective diameter of at least 2 inches facing in a first direction for placement against a flexible tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure projecting from the plane of said flat surface in said first direction; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said cooperating means including a cooperating ball and socket; and annular means for adhering the flat base surface to a subjacent tissue to stably support the base on a subjacent tissue, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the base has a curved yoke and means are provided for connecting the yoke to the base for movement relative thereto, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member.

Claim 12

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface, said flat surface having an effective diameter of at least 2 inches facing in a first direction for placement against a flexible tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure projecting from the plane of said flat surface in said first direction; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said cooperating means including a cooperating ball and socket; and annular means for adhering the flat base surface to a subjacent tissue to stably support the base on a subjacent tissue, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the base has a curved yoke and means are provided for connecting the yoke to the base for movement relative thereto, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member.

Claim 13

The surgical instrument jig according to claim 6 wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration.

Claim 14

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat downwardly facing surface for placement facially against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure on said jig extending downwardly beyond the flat downwardly facing surface on the base; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for pivoting movement relative to the first wall abut an axis that is transverse to the plane of the first flat wall surface.

Claim 15

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat downwardly facing surface for placement facially against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure on said jig extending downwardly beyond the flat downwardly facing surface on the base; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for pivoting movement relative to the first wall abut an axis that is transverse to the plane of the first flat wall surface.

Claim 16

A surgical instrument jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for pivoting movement relative to the first wall about an axis that is transverse to the plane of the first flat wall surface, wherein means are provided for selectively locking the first and second walls against relative movement.

Claim 17

A surgical instrument jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for pivoting movement relative to the first wall about an axis that is transverse to the plane of the first flat wall surface, wherein means are provided for selectively locking the first and second walls against relative movement.

Claim 18

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for movement relative to the first wall in a path generally parallel to the plane of the first flat wall surface.

Claim 19

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface residing in a first plane for placement in facially engaged relationship with a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed; an instrument support member; and cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member in a predetermined position relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, wherein the cooperating means comprises a concave surface on one of the base and instrument support member and a convex surface on the other of the base and instrument support member, said concave and convex surfaces cooperating with each other to guide universal relative movement between the instrument support member and base, said convex and concave surfaces being fully spaced from the first plane, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures, wherein the cooperating means comprises means for selectively maintaining the instrument support member in a plurality of different positions relative to the base, wherein the base has a curved yoke and the cooperating means comprises a pin and slot connection on the yoke and instrument support member, wherein the yoke has a curved slot and the instrument support member has a pin that is guided in an arcuate path in the curved yoke slot and means are provided for locking the pin in a desired position along the slot to thereby fix the relative positions of the yoke and the instrument support member, wherein the yoke has an inverted U-shaped configuration, wherein the base has a first wall with a flat surface for placement against a subjacent tissue and a second wall mounted to the first wall for movement relative to the first wall in a path generally parallel to the plane of the first flat wall surface.

Claim 20

A jig for allowing consistent placement of a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a first part with a planar surface for placement facially against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, a yoke; a second base part having means for supporting said yoke; means interconnecting the first and second base parts for allowing pivoting of the second base part and yoke relative to the first base part about an axis that is substantially at right angles to the plane of the planar surface on the first base part; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for mounting the sleeve to the yoke for movement relative to the yoke in an arcuate path which is in a plane that is transverse to the plane of the planar surface on the first base part; and means for maintaining the sleeve in a plurality of selected positions relative to the yoke, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, an instrument on the instrument support member can be consistently directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation.

Claim 21

A jig for allowing consistent placement of a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a first part with a planar surface for placement facially against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, a yoke; a second base part having means for supporting said yoke; means interconnecting the first and second base parts for allowing pivoting of the second base part and yoke relative to the first base part about an axis that is substantially at right angles to the plane of the planar surface on the first base part; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for mounting the sleeve to the yoke for movement relative to the yoke in an arcuate path which is in a plane that is transverse to the plane of the planar surface on the first base part; and means for maintaining the sleeve in a plurality of selected positions relative to the yoke, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, an instrument on the instrument support member can be consistently directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation.

Claim 22

The jig for orienting a surgical instrument according to claim 11 wherein means are provided for releasably holding the first jig base part in a fixed position relative to a subjacent tissue.

Claim 23

The jig for orienting a surgical instrument according to claim 11 wherein said instrument support member has means thereon for captively embracing a tissue through which the sleeve is extended.

Claim 24

A jig for consistently orienting a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a first base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, said base having a yoke; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for supporting the yoke on the base for movement relative to the base; and means for maintaining the yoke in a plurality of selected positions relative to the base, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, the yoke can be fixed in a preselected position, whereupon an instrument can be consistently directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation wherein said instrument support member has means thereon for captively embracing a tissue through which the sleeve is extended, wherein the instrument support member sleeve has proximal and distal ends, the means for captively embracing a tissue comprises an expandable member which is positionable selectively in expanded and collapsed states at the distal end of the sleeve and a collar mounted to the sleeve for sliding movement selectively towards and away from the expandable member, whereby the sleeve with the expandable member in its collapsed state can be directed through an incision in a tissue after which the expandable member can be placed in its expanded state and the collar slid along the sleeve to captively embrace the tissue in conjunction with the expandable member in its expanded state.

Claim 25

A jig for consistently orienting a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a first base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, said base having a yoke; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for supporting the yoke on the base for movement relative to the base; and means for maintaining the yoke in a plurality of selected positions relative to the base, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, the yoke can be fixed in a preselected position, whereupon an instrument can be consistently directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation wherein said instrument support member has means thereon for captively embracing a tissue through which the sleeve is extended, wherein the instrument support member sleeve has proximal and distal ends, the means for captively embracing a tissue comprises an expandable member which is positionable selectively in expanded and collapsed states at the distal end of the sleeve and a collar mounted to the sleeve for sliding movement selectively towards and away from the expandable member, whereby the sleeve with the expandable member in its collapsed state can be directed through an incision in a tissue after which the expandable member can be placed in its expanded state and the collar slid along the sleeve to captively embrace the tissue in conjunction with the expandable member in its expanded state.

Claim 26

A jig for consistently orientating a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, said base having a yoke; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for supporting the yoke on the base for movement relative to the base; and means for maintaining the yoke in a plurality of selected positions relative to the base, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, the yoke can be fixed in a preselected position, whereupon an instrument can be directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation, wherein said yoke comprises cooperating U-shaped elements each with a body and first and second legs projecting from the body with each said leg having a free end, and means are provided for pivotably attaching the free ends of each of the legs of the yoke elements to the base so that the bodies of the U-shaped elements are pivotable selectively towards and away from each other.

Claim 27

A jig for consistently orientating a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base for placement against a tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, said base having a yoke; an instrument support member on the yoke having a sleeve defining a passageway for the introduction of a surgical instrument to be extended into the tissue; means for supporting the yoke on the base for movement relative to the base; and means for maintaining the yoke in a plurality of selected positions relative to the base, whereby with the base placed against a subjacent tissue, the yoke can be fixed in a preselected position, whereupon an instrument can be directed through the sleeve passageway against the tissue in a consistent orientation, wherein said yoke comprises cooperating U-shaped elements each with a body and first and second legs projecting from the body with each said leg having a free end, and means are provided for pivotably attaching the free ends of each of the legs of the yoke elements to the base so that the bodies of the U-shaped elements are pivotable selectively towards and away from each other.

Claim 28

The jig for orientating a surgical instrument according to claim 15 wherein means are provided for biasing at least one of the U-shaped elements towards the other of the U-shaped elements to thereby captively engage the instrument support member.

Claim 29

The jig for orienting a surgical instrument according to claim 16 wherein means are provided for holding the sleeve in a fixed position with respect to at least one of the U-shaped elements.

Claim 30

The jig for orienting a surgical instrument according to claim 15 wherein each U-shaped element pivots relative to the base about an axis and the pivot axes for the U-shaped elements are coincident.

Claim 31

The jig for orienting a surgical instrument according to claim 15 wherein each U-shaped element pivots relative to the base about an axis and the pivot axes for the U-shaped elements are substantially parallel to and spaced from each other.

Claim 32

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface, said flat surface having an effective diameter of at least 2 inches facing in a first direction for placement against a flexible tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure projecting from the plane of said flat surface in said first direction; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said cooperating means including a cooperating ball and socket; and annular means for adhering the flat base surface to a subjacent tissue to stably support the base on a subjacent tissue, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures.

Claim 33

A jig for consistently maintaining a surgical instrument in a predetermined orientation relative to a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said jig comprising: a base having a flat surface, said flat surface having an effective diameter of at least 2 inches facing in a first direction for placement against a flexible tissue in the vicinity of where a surgical procedure is to be performed, there being no structure projecting from the plane of said flat surface in said first direction; an instrument support member; cooperating means on the base and instrument support member for maintaining the instrument support member selectively in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base and a subjacent tissue on which the jig is supported, said cooperating means including a cooperating ball and socket; and annular means for adhering the flat base surface to a subjacent tissue to stably support the base on a subjacent tissue, whereby the jig can be used to positively maintain a surgical instrument in a desired orientation relative to a subjacent tissue to thereby facilitate the performance of surgical procedures.

Claim 34

The surgical instrument jig according to claim 20 wherein the base has a curved yoke and means are provided for connecting the yoke to the base for movement relative thereto.